"Paradise or Despair?"
"Paradise or Despair?"
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is he to whom Adonai imputes no crookedness, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?".
Considering the encounter of Pilate and Jesus, we see a conflict of authority. Pilate has a greater authority to command human action, while Jesus has superior command of truth. Jesus does not use His power to threaten Pilate's authority, and yet Pilate's authority is threatened, because of the rules by which his authority is qualified. In John 19:12, we read that the Jews who were against Jesus, said to Pilate: "If you release Jesus, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a sovereign, does speak against Caesar".
You know that those who think to rule the nations are masters over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be servant of all".
Although Pilate knew that Jesus was not deserving of the death penalty, he ultimately was not able to enforce that truth, because to do so would require of him to acknowledge that Jesus had greater authority than Caesar.
Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
If you wish to be perfect, sell what you have, and give to the poor - then you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.
- Serving Zion, Nov 13, 2016